After being off the radar since 2007 America’s Alternate Rock Superstars Evanesence is back and better than ever. Their new self-titled record, which was released October last year debuted at Number 1 on the Billboard 200 Chart, as well as debuting at Number 1 on the Rock Albums, Digital Albums, Alternative Albums, and the Hard Rock Albums charts
Drummer Will Hunt reckons they are stoked with the response: “We are very happy that the fans are still here after all this time. We just can’t be thankful enough to them; that the public still really cares for us. It’s amazing and we are really, really proud of it.”
There is a reason the latest record is self-titled, it is the first record that they have all worked together on, giving the record a more collaborative, family feel. “I think Amy thought it was the first time that she had written the record with the full band, it was written in an old school style, she thought it would be the right time to call it Evanescence because this is the first real band record. We thought it was great and it’s somewhat of an honour for her to say that and for her to want to do that with us. We thought it was really cool.”
Their latest record has been a success for many reasons. Not only was it a collaborative effort but they also with producer Nick Raskulinecz, who has worked with the likes of Alice In Chains and the Def Tones. Allowing the sound of the record to be a more intense was like an evolution. “I think most people are really happy with it. It’s not so different to what Evanescence has always been [but] it’s different in the sense it’s a little bit more organic. Ultimately what makes Evanescence is Amy’s voice, her voice, her lyrics, the way that she sings and her piano playing; what we do as a band is just kind of a vehicle for all that to ride in.”
Not only are they excited to be back but are overwhelmed with how successful it all has been. “To have that opportunity to make a record together from the ground up, to have the fans embrace it and stuff like that, it’s very amazing; it’s a really good feeling. Again, we didn’t go into it thinking, ‘We’re going to make a hit record’ we went into it thinking we’re going to make a record full of music that we like to listen to. Whatever happens happens. However it sounds is how it sounds. I think when you have Amy singing that’s the thing, that’s the it factor as long. As it’s there it will still be Evanescence.”
They are excited to be in Australia to play for all their fans and hopefully to check out some sights. For Will it’s the first time he gets to grace this beautiful country. “Terry, Amy and Tim are excited to be back. I’m really excited to be here for the first time. Troy has been there once with his old band Double Drive, but I’ve never seen Australia. A friend of mine spent six weeks between Australia and New Zealand, they came back talking about how beautiful it was and what a cool place it is. So yeah I’m loving checking it out.”
In every job there is something negative, for touring musicians it’s missing their families, waiting at airports, missing flights and more. According to Hunt it’s all worth it when they get on stage and play to the thousands of loyal fans. “That just comes with the territory. I don’t look it at as a horror story. I just see it as a day in the life. It’s all to get to that point where you’re playing on stage and really having a good time. So, it’s worth it.”
For Evanescence 2012 means back to back touring with shows scheduled across the globe. Will hopes by the end of the year they will be back in the studio. “It’s going to be a very visible, honourable year for the band. Hopefully, with any amount of luck when we get done with this cycle, we will take a couple of months off and get right back at it and make another record. Well I hope, I’m not speaking for everyone else but that’s what I’d like to happen.”
Evanescence hit our shores last week playing killer shows in Canberra, Melbourne and Brisbane. You can catch them in Newcastle tonight and their final date is in Sydney tomorrow. Their new album Evanescence is out now. Check out the pics from Melbourne this week!
